LifeStyle

On This Day…

211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies, leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons, Caracalla and Geta. 960 - Coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of the Song, initiating three centuries of Song Dynasty dominance…

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WHO outlines steps to save 7 million lives from cancer

The World Health Organization (WHO) today spells out the need to step up cancer services in low and middle-income countries. WHO warns that, if current trends continue, the world will…

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Second victim of the new Coronavirus out of China reported in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority on Tuesday confirmed the death of a 39-year-old man, who suffered from an underlying health condition. The 39-year-old patient, who was being treated at a hospital…

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Photo Story: British Baroque art exhibit opens in London

Photos of some of the paintings on display during a press viewing of the exhibition 'British Baroque: Power and Illusion' at the Tate Britain in London, Britain, 03 February 2020.…

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Russia may deport any foreigners found with coronavirus

Foreign citizens could be deported from Russia if they test positive for the coronavirus, the prime minister said, according to country’s media outlets. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said a national plan…

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Coronavirus fears trigger anti-China sentiment worldwide

A scary new virus from China has spread around the world. So has rising anti-Chinese sentiment, calls for a full travel ban on Chinese visitors and indignities for Chinese and…

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Cruise ships to temporarily ban Chinese crew and passengers

Cruise lines worldwide will deny boarding to passengers and crew who have recently travelled to China, a global industry body said on Monday (Feb 3), as fears grow over the…

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China says ‘urgently needs’ medical masks to tackle virus

China said Monday it "urgently needs" protective medical equipment as the death toll in the country from a highly contagious coronavirus passed that of the 2002 SARS crisis, with more…

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New discoveries at an archaeological site in Minya, Egypt

A view of mummies found in tombs of late period high priests at the Al-Ghoreifa area of the Tuna El-Gabal archaeological site, Minya governorate, 270km south of Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's…

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Hong Kong closes 10 border crossings with China, China blasts US for ‘not helping’

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has announced the closure of 10 out of 13 land and sea border crossings with mainland China in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak.…

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Algeria evacuates Tunisian nationals and Libyan students from China

A plane is expected to arrive in Algeria on Monday with Tunisian, Libyan and Algerian citizens who were evacuated from Wuhan in China due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Algerian…

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Photo Story: Eros Ramazotti live in Bogota

Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti performs at the Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia, 02 February 2020. This was the singer's first live performance in Colombia since 1994. Photo: EPA-EFE/CARLOS…

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‘1917’ named best film at UK’s BAFTA awards

World War I drama 1917 has won the award for best film at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards (BAFTAs), with director Sam Mendes picking up honours for…

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On This Day…

1451 -Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire. 1509 -The Battle of Diu, naval battle at port of Diu, India between Portugal and the Ottoman Empire, establishes Portugese…

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British drugmaker GSK to collaborate with CEPI in effort to develop coronavirus vaccine

British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc is collaborating with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to contribute towards the effort of developing a vaccine for the coronavirus outbreak, GSK and CEPI…

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China death toll rises to over 360, China’s new hospital set to open

The number of confirmed deaths from China's coronavirus outbreak has risen to 361, with Hubei province — the center of the outbreak — reporting 57 new deaths on Monday, according to the National Health Commission.…

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Major breakthrough in Italy as new coronavirus is ‘isolated’

The virologists of the Spallanzani hospital in Rome have isolated the new coronavirus, which is responsible for over 300 deaths and tens of thousands of infections worldwide. The news was…

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Dettol clarifies that there is no evidence it can kill new coronavirus

Dettol cannot kill the deadly coronavirus, its manufacturers reportedly confirmed today according to a report on the Mirrror. Scientists in the UK warn there is no evidence Dettol can kill…

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Russia’s and Chinese Foreign Ministers discuss coronavirus outbreak

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed cooperation in fighting the coronavirus outbreak in a phone call on Saturday, the Russian foreign ministry said. According…

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First known death outside China reported in Philippines

A 44-year-old man in the Philippines has died of the coronavirus, health officials said on Sunday, making him the first known death outside China. The man, a resident of…

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On This Day…

1653 - New Amsterdam becomes a city (later renamed New York). 1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War: US acquires Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona for…

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Can Coronavirus ‘diplomacy’ isolate or strengthen ties with China?

The world's news headlines are currently dominated by the alarming speed with which the infections of the coronavirus are spreading from the Chinese borders to, one can say, every corner…

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The Coronavirus from Cartoonists’ perspective

International emergency by Angel Boligan, El Universal, Mexico City Xi Corona Virus by Bart van Leeuwen, PoliticalCartoons.com Wall Street Worries by Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, NE Outbreak by Dale…

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American FDA approves first drug for treatment of peanut allergy for children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Palforzia [Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp] to mitigate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to peanuts. Treatment with Palforzia…

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Do not confuse food charity with ‘right to food’, UN expert tells Italians

A sophisticated Italian food system is placing a heavy burden on Italy’s workers and farmers, an independent UN human rights expert said on Friday, following an 11-day visit to the…

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Spain’s Health Ministry confirms first case of coronavirus

Spain's Health Ministry announced late on Friday that the western European country had confirmed its first case of the Wuhan coronavirus. In a press statement Friday, the Spanish Ministry of…

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York hotel at the centre of Britain’s coronavirus scare

A hotel in York is at the centre of Britain’s coronavirus scare, after its guests were confirmed as the first two known cases of the virus in the UK. The…

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Russia decides to suspend working visas to Chinese citizens, air services due to coronavirus outbreak

The Russian government is going to suspend issuance of work visas to Chinese citizens, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and head of the emergency response headquarters for the prevention of the novel…

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Australia to deny entry to foreign travellers arriving from China, new coronavirus case confirmed taking the total in Australia to 10

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (L) and Prime Minister Scott Morrison speak to the media during a press conference at the Sydney CPO in Sydney, Australia, 01 February…

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On This Day…

1587 - Queen Elizabeth I of England signs death warrant for her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. 1790 - The first session of the Supreme Court of the United States…

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WHO warns governments need to prepare for “domestic outbreak control”

China’s death toll from a new virus rose to 259 on Saturday and a World Health Organization official said other governments need to prepare for “domestic outbreak control” if the…

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Coronavirus deaths rise sharply, US bars foreign nationals who visited China

The number of people who have died from the coronavirus has risen sharply to 213 - hours after the outbreak was declared a global public health emergency. Chinese health officials…

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Sweden and Russia confirm first cases of Coronavirus

Sweden's Public Health Agency said on Friday that a woman had tested positive for coronavirus and was being kept isolated at a hospital in southern Sweden. The woman had visited…

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Coronavirus misinformation surges on social media

Misleading, unverified and clearly false information about the coronavirus has spread across social media platforms, with some accounts only a few days old reaching millions of views with a mix…

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Photo Story: Bar in Rome bans Chinese due to coronavirus outbreak

There is consternation in Italy after a bar in the capital banned access to people from China. Italian media have reported various cases of hostility toward Chinese persons due to…

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Peppa Pig loses her voice

Harley Bird, who has voiced children's TV favourite Peppa Pig for the past 13 years, has announced she is stepping down from the role. Bird, who is now 18, has…

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US commerce secretary under fire for saying Coronavirus could boost US jobs

US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross is being criticized for saying the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China could be positive for the American economy. During a TV interview Mr Ross said:…

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Italy declares state of emergency over coronavirus

The Italian Government on Friday declared a state of emergency to speed up the fight against the Coronavirus and prevent it from spreading. The move came a day after it…

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First cases of coronavirus confirmed in England

Two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, Public Health England says. Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England issued the following statement: We can confirm…

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On This Day…

1865 - Congress passes the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in America (passes 121-24). 1865 - General Robert E. Lee named Commander-in-Chief of Confederate Armies during US Civil War. 1943 -…

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Pilots, flight attendants demand flights to China stop, France confirms sixth case of coronavirus infection

Pilots and flight attendants are demanding airlines stop flights to China as health officials declare a global emergency over the rapidly spreading coronavirus, with American Airlines’ pilots filing a lawsuit…

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Italy confirms first two cases of coronavirus

Italy has confirmed its first cases of the deadly coronavirus, shortly after the outbreak was declared a global health emergency. Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, revealed that two Chinese tourists…

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Coronavirus declared global emergency by World Health Organisation

Coronavirus is declared global emergency by World Health Organization as outbreak continues to spread outside China with the total of infected people rose to 7,834 - the vast majority of…

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Ozzy Osbourne says his days are counted after revealing Parkinson’s diagnosis

Ozzy Osbourne says he does not have "that much longer" in his first interview since revealing he has Parkinson's disease. The Black Sabbath frontman also said his health is at…

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Russia closes its borders with China amid ongoing coronavirus crisis

Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday announced that Russia will close its borders with China amid the worsening situation on coronavirus disease that has spread to all Chinese regions…

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Concern over Chinese with fever on cruise ship in Italian harbour, 6,000 passengers blocked on-board

Six thousand passengers on an Italian cruise ship are currently blocked at Civitavecchia after a Chinese couple came down with a fever raising fears they had contracted the new coronavirus.…

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GO Challenging People To Start Living Healthier with 2020 Grid Challenge.

As of Thursday 30th January, listeners of VIBE FM’s breakfast show ‘The Morning Vibe’ should step up their persuasion tactics to try and convince breakfast show hosts Abel, JD and…

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The Philippines and India confirm first case of new coronavirus

The Philippine health officials have confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country. A 38-year-old Chinese woman, who arrived in the country from Wuhan, China, on January 21,…

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Coronavirus case confirmed in Finland, cases in France increase to five

A new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Finland, according to local media — the first in the Nordic region. France also confirmed Wednesday evening its fifth case of the virus.…

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Flight taking Britons out of Wuhan ‘unable to take off’

A flight to bring about 200 British nationals back to the UK from coronavirus-hit Wuhan is unable to take off as planned on Thursday. It is understood relevant permissions from…

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WHO to hold emergency meeting, virus spreads to every Chinese region

The World Health Organization (WHO) is to convene its expert committee again on Thursday to discuss whether to declare a global health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak. The disease has…

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On This Day…

1661 - Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England is ritually executed after having been dead for two years. 1667 - The Truce of Andrusovo ended the Thirteen Years' War…

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Island Insurance Sponsors Restoration of 16 th Century Painting of St Catherine at Palazzo Falson

A small 16th century oil painting depicting St Catherine hanging in the bedroom of Palazzo Falson in Mdina has just been restored thanks to a sponsorship by Island Insurance Brokers.…

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Starbucks closes 2,000 stores in China over coronavirus outbreak

Starbucks has closed more than 2,000 outlets in China and cautioned that its annual financial results had been threatened by the coronavirus, highlighting the challenges facing corporate America from the…

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Chinese health official says virus cases in Beijing, risk of infection rising, Russia and China working to develop coronavirus vaccine

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Beijing and the risk of infection there are on the rise, a health official in the capital city said on Wednesday, as the…

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Suspected coronavirus cases in Israel

A man, a four-year-old child and a one-year-old baby were quarantined in Hadera's Hillel Yaffe hospital in Israel due to suspicions of having contracted the coronavirus, multiple reports stated. The…

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EU Civil Protection Mechanism activated for the repatriation of EU citizens from Wuhan

As the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus intensifies, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated following a request for assistance from France to provide consular support to EU citizens…

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